The idea would have seen the former Duchess of York attempting to sell genetically replicated corgis

Fergie is said to have met with productions companies to discuss the idea

A cash-strapped Sarah Ferguson was reportedly involved in talks to clone the late Queen’s beloved corgis.

Andrew’s ex-wife, the Duchess of York floated the idea for a reality show featuring her attempting to sell the clones to “other dog lovers around the world” in 2023. Fergie is said to have met with a number of TV companies in the US about the idea, dubbed a “bold and controversial business venture” by Hollywood producers

A source, who was close to the negotiations, told the Mail on Sunday: “She was pushing to get back into TV and make some money,’ said a source. ‘She came up with the idea of featuring the Queen’s corgis in a show. And that included the idea of breeding them. Bizarre as it sounds, the idea of cloning them was discussed.

The Queen, pictured in 2022 with a Dorgi called Candy, had many dogs throughout her life(Image: PA)

“There were Zoom meetings with the TV people and email exchanges. At one point she wanted to get what she called her “team” involved. Sarah seemed to be up for anything provided she was paid – and particularly if she could do some travelling in the process and meet rich aristos who might like to own a corgi.’ In the event, the project was abandoned.”

Pet cloning is legal in the US with some replicas selling for £75,000 but the highly contentious practice can produce major abnormalities. Pet cloning is not legal in the UK other than in research settings, but it is legal to send a skin sample from an animal to the US for cloning.

The Queen’s corgis, Muick and Sandy are walked inside Windsor Castle on September 19, 2022, ahead of the Committal Service for the late Queen(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Fergie and her disgraced ex-husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor were entrusted with caring for the late Queen’s corgis, Muick and Sandy following the Queen’s death.

The couple no longer live together with Andrew holed up at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate after being forced to leave Royal Lodge. In an unconventional arrangement, the ex-Duke of York lived with his former wife Sarah Ferguson at Royal Lodge, but she is now having to find her own place to live – and won’t join Andrew in Norfolk. The corgis however, will remain with Andrew.

It comes as Fergie is under growing pressure after facing calls to give sworn testimony in the United States on what she knew about paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. And one US congressman said they would be “happy to work out terms that work for her” so long as she spoke under oath.

The former Duchess of York has not been seen in public in over six months since it emerged that her friendship with Epstein lasted longer than she had previously publicly stated.